[en] Miniaturization is currently limited by our ability to manipulate micrometer-sized objects. Insect adhesion is an advantageous bio-inspired solution to this problem, although it is not fully understood yet. Interference Reflection Microscopy images of the beetle Gastrophysa Viridula adhesive structures in contact with a smooth substrate were analyzed. The results were cross-linked with an analytical model of an elastic beam deflected by a liquid meniscus. By fitting the unknown model parameters to the experimental data, we obtained information about the elastic properties of the structures, the liquid volume in the bridge, and the resulting adhesion levels.
Disciplines :
Life sciences: Multidisciplinary, general & others Engineering, computing & technology: Multidisciplinary, general & others
Author, co-author :
Gernay, Sophie-Marie ; Université de Liège > Département d'aérospatiale et mécanique > Microfluidique
Federle, Walter; University of Cambridge > Department of Zoology > Insect Biomechanics Workgroup
Lambert, Pierre; Université Libre de Bruxelles - ULB > Ecole polytechnique de Bruxelles > BEAMS-µTech-Biomech
Gilet, Tristan ; Université de Liège > Département d'aérospatiale et mécanique > Microfluidique
Language :
English
Title :
Elastocapillarity in Dock Beetle Adhesion
Publication date :
September 2016
Event name :
MicroMAST 2016 : 1st International Conference on Multiscale Applications of Surface Tension
Event organizer :
IAP 7/38 MicroMAST Université Libre de Bruxelles
Event place :
Bruxelles, Belgium
Event date :
5 to 8 September 2016
Audience :
International
Name of the research project :
IAP 7/38 MicroMAST funded by BELSPO (Belgian Science Office Policy)
Funders :
BELSPO - Belgian Science Policy Office FRIA - Fonds pour la Formation à la Recherche dans l'Industrie et dans l'Agriculture
